Financial Aid and Scholarships-50.01.01A. Philosophy No student should be restricted from attending the institution because of limited financial resources. To meet this goal the college maintains a program of grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment for eligible students who are accepted and enrolled in the college as certificate or degree-seeking students in good standing.
B. Application Procedures 1. All students should complete a Howard Community College financial aid application. Students applying for need-based aid also need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to begin application procedures. These forms are available on the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/pay/finaid.
2. Students seeking need-based financial aid should complete the FAFSA by the March 1 priority filing date. Applications submitted by this date will be given first priority for limited grant funds; however, this process can be completed anytime during the academic year.
3. All students applying for Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. scholarships need to complete the required application(s). The applications are located on the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/pay/finaid.
4. Transfer students seeking need-based aid must complete the Howard Community College financial aid application and list the HCC federal school code (008175) with the federal processor by going online to www.fafsa.ed.gov or calling 1-800-4fed-aid. If the transfer student has any remaining loan disbursements at the previous college, they must be cancelled and the student must reapply for a Federal Stafford Student Loan with HCC’s financial aid office. If the transfer student had a Maryland State Scholarship, he/she must contact the Maryland State Scholarship Administration to have the scholarship transferred to HCC.
C. Eligibility Criteria 1. Students are eligible for financial aid if:
a. They have a high school diploma or GED. If a student is no longer in high school and did not earn a high school diploma or GED, they may still be eligible to receive financial aid by taking the Ability to Benefit Test administered by HCC’s Test Center.
b. They are a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
c. They are making satisfactory progress toward completion of an eligible degree or certificate program (see C.3).
d. They are not in default on a Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, William D. Ford Direct Student Loan, or Federal PLUS loan at any post-secondary institution.
e. They do not owe a balance or a refund on a Federal Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant at any post-secondary institution.
f. They are enrolled in an eligible certificate or a degree program at HCC.
g. They are in compliance with selective service registration.
h. They have a valid social security number.
2. Financial need is defined as the difference between a student’s educational expenses at Howard Community College and the amount expected from the student and/or the student’s family. The college uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the amount of financial need of each applicant.
3. Students who receive financial aid must make satisfactory academic progress as determined by HCC in accordance with federal regulations. Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester will result in cancellation of financial aid awards. For complete requirements relating to satisfactory academic progress, refer to the college catalogue, student handbook, the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/pay/finaid, or visit financial aid services.
D. Continued Eligibility for Receipt of Financial Aid Student aid awards are normally for one academic year. Continuation is dependent upon meeting application priority deadline dates each year, re-establishing financial need, making satisfactory academic progress, and continuing to enroll for at least one (1) credit per semester (six credits for loan applicants).
E. Determination of Need Need for financial aid is determined by the following calculation:
Cost of Attendance Budget
Less Expected Family Contribution
Equals Financial Aid Eligibility (need)
To determine the expected family contribution, the calculation formula used is the federal need analysis mandated by the U.S. Congress. By completing the FAFSA, the family contribution is calculated and reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR), which is emailed or mailed to the student by the federal processor.
F. Student Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Section 493.A of the Higher Education Act requires post-secondary educational institutions to disseminate relevant, candid information on student financial aid programs available at the college. These rights and responsibilities may be found in “The Student Guide,” (U.S. Department of Education), available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html.
G. Financial Aid Programs Howard Community College maintains and/or coordinates grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment for students who are accepted and enrolled in the college in eligible certificate or degree programs and making satisfactory academic progress. Full descriptions of the programs and associated eligibility criteria can be found in the Howard Community College student handbook, college catalogue, or financial aid services
H. Refund Policy Students receiving financial aid have the responsibility to follow the college’s withdrawal procedures as outlined in the HCC catalogue. Federal financial aid recipient refunds will be determined based on the current federal regulation requirements. Full descriptions of the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy can be found in the student handbook, the college catalogue, and in financial aid services.
Noncredit Financial Aid A. Philosphy
No student should be restricted from attending the institution because of limited financial resources extends to those students taking career-related noncredit continuing education classes. The number of students served is dependent on the amount of funds available.
B. Application Procedures
All students seeking financial assistance for noncredit courses should obtain application procedures from the continuing education office.
C. Eligibility Criteria
Noncredit students are eligible for financial aid if:
They demonstrate financial need and show proof of income.
They are a resident of Howard County for at least 3 months–proof of residency may be required.
They are sixteen years of age or older.
The course work is job or career related.
Financial assistance is not available from other organizations or an employer.
D. Most noncredit applicants must pass a literacy test (reading, writing, math, speaking, and listening) to ensure they will be able to benefit from the proposed course work.
E. All noncredit students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and successfully complete all course assignments. Students who do not complete and/or pass courses are not eligible for future noncredit financial aid.
F. Students will be asked to provide follow-up information on employment and/or career changes as a result of the noncredit course.
G. Financial aid eligibility is determined by HUD annual income guidelines—an average between low and moderate income and is limited to course tuition, registration, and lab fees only. The maximum award for noncredit financial aid is 80 percent of the total cost of tuition and fees and does not usually exceed $2,000 per year.
H. Information about financial aid for noncredit students can be obtained through the division of continuing education and workforce development and at the HCC continuing education website. Funds for noncredit students are disbursed through the Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.
Policy Manual Review/Revision: 10/3/06
